FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2014

CONTACT: Laura Bynum APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager (202) 218-6736 [email protected]

Elk Grove’s Busse Woods Pedestrian Overpass Project Named APWA 2014 Public Works Project of the Year

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Elk Grove’s Busse Woods Pedestrian Overpass was recently named a 2014 Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). The project is being honored APWA’s Project of the Year award: Small Cities/Rural Communities – Transportation category. This award honors agencies representing cities and communities with a population of 75,000 or less. The SC/RC Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in demonstrating creativity, ingenuity and efficiency in the delivery of public works projects that have a profound impact on the community. This year, the team of winners includes the Village of Elk Grove, IL., as the managing agency; Martam Construction, Inc. as the primary contractor; and TranSystems Corporation as the primary consultant. These organizations will be presented with the award during APWA’s 2014 International Public Works Congress & Exposition Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during August 17-20, 2014.

The Busse Woods Pedestrian Overpass at Route 73 project constructed a new multi-use overpass along the Busse Woods Trail System over Illinois Route 72 (Higgins Road). This was a coordinated effort by the Village of Elk Grove and Forest Preserve District of Cook County to provide the final regional bike path overpass for the Busse Woods Trail System. The project was also supported by adjacent communities including the City of Rolling Meadows and the Village of Schaumburg, as well as the Northwest Municipal Conference, Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and Active Transportation Alliance (formerly Chicagoland Bicycle Federation).

The Busse Woods Trail draws more than 2.5 million visitors a year, an attendance volume greater than Yellowstone National Park. The existing at-grade path crossed the six-lane arterial roadway at the signalized intersection of Illinois Route 72 (Higgins Road) and the Interstate 290 Northbound Frontage Road. The roadway carries 34,100 vehicles per day and the ramps carry nearly 15,000 vehicles per day. These heavy traffic volumes coupled with the high vehicular speeds encountered on the routes created a hazardous crossing for users of the trail. The new structure replaces this existing dangerous at-grade condition and provides a safe overpass crossing by eliminating vehicular conflict with bicyclist and pedestrian traffic, safely connecting the northern and southern portions of this heavily used 11.2-mile-long trail.

The erection of the bridge required extensive advance planning and continuous coordination to be successful. The efforts of Elk Grove Village Public Works staff, Elk Grove Police, the Cook County Sheriff’s office, and IDOT ensured a successful installation sequencing operation for the 275-foot-long structure. Erection of the main center span over Illinois Route 72 (Higgins Road), a major arterial, required a complete closure.

The bridge was erected the night before Halloween in less than ideal weather conditions to stay on schedule. Construction had minimal impact on neighboring roadways, which were only closed for an hour. The entire operation was completed in 20 hours w at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013, just in time for morning rush hour the next day.

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For more information on the APWA 2014 Projects of the Year, please contact APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager, Laura Bynum, [email protected], or call 202.218.6736.

About APWA The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America. ###

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